Fallon Health is the best health insurance company in Massachusetts. Other leading options include Wellcare Health, Tufts Health Plan Direct, Health New England and Mass General Brigham Health Plan.
Best Health Insurance in Massachusetts (2026)
Updated: December 29, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Fallon Health provides the best health insurance coverage in Massachusetts by balancing monthly premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Wellcare Health delivers the cheapest health insurance while maintaining competitive deductibles and out-of-pocket limits.
Massachusetts residents should gather quotes from multiple insurers, examine provider networks and coverage details and verify their doctors participate in the plan.
Best Health Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
| Fallon Health | $491 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 5.0 | Standard Silver: Community Care Connector High Silver II |
| Wellcare Health | $490 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 5.0 | Standard High Silver: WellSense Clarity Silver 2000 II |
| Tufts Health Plan Direct | $527 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 5.0 | Standard High Silver: Tufts Health Direct Silver 2000 II |
| Health New England | $651 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 4.8 | Standard Silver: HNE Silver A II |
| Mass General Brigham Health Plan | $744 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 4.7 | Standard Silver: Select HMO 2000 25/60 II |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | $905 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 4.6 | Standard Silver II |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $900 | $10,150 | $2,000 | 4.5 | Standard Silver: HMO Blue Basic II |
*Our picks are the best health insurance options for 40-year-olds looking for Silver-tier HMO plans.
Fallon Health
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$491Average MOOP
$10,150Average Deductible
$2,000
WellCare
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$490Average MOOP
$10,150Average Deductible
$2,000
Tufts Health Plan Direct
MoneyGeek Rating
5.0/ 5
4.9/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$527Average MOOP
$10,150Average Deductible
$2,000
Best Health Insurance in Massachusetts by Category
Health insurance rates in Massachusetts vary by age, plan type and metal tier. Silver-tier monthly premiums range from $264 to $1,632 across different age groups and providers.
By Age:
- Teens (18): Wellcare HMO plans cost $264 monthly, and UnitedHealthcare EPO plans cost $518 monthly.
- Young adults (26): Wellcare HMO plans cost $416 monthly while UnitedHealthcare EPO plans cost $816 monthly.
- Adults (40): Wellcare HMO plans cost $490 per month, and UnitedHealthcare EPO plans cost $961 per month.
- Seniors (60): Wellcare HMO plans cost $832 monthly, while UnitedHealthcare EPO plans cost $1,632 monthly.
By Plan Type:
- HMO: Wellcare offers the most affordable HMO coverage for 40-year-olds at $490 monthly with a $2,000 deductible and $10,150 MOOP.
- EPO: UnitedHealthcare charges 40-year-olds $961 monthly with a $2,000 deductible and $10,150 MOOP.
*All rates are averages based on Silver plans for the given category.
Compare Massachusetts Health Insurance Providers
Premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums differ between Massachusetts insurers. Filter results by age, metal level, plan type and HSA eligibility to find suitable options.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Wellcare Health | $490 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Fallon Health | $491 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Tufts Health Plan Direct | $527 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Health New England | $651 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Mass General Brigham Health Plan | $744 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Harvard Pilgrim Health Care | $905 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $900 | HMO | Silver | $10,150 | $2,000 | 40 | No |
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Massachusetts
Choosing health insurance in Massachusetts means weighing premiums against deductibles, network access and coverage limits.
- 1Assess Your Healthcare Needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and how often you visit doctors to determine which coverage level makes sense. Past medical expenses help predict future costs and guide your deductible choice. Massachusetts residents should consider chronic conditions and specialist visits when evaluating their healthcare requirements.
- 2Compare Multiple Insurer Quotes
Request rates from at least three Massachusetts health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations. Boston-area residents often find premium differences between carriers for similar coverage levels. Gathering multiple quotes helps identify the best value for your specific situation and budget constraints.
- 3Verify Provider Networks
Confirm your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals in areas like Cambridge or Springfield accept plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront. Massachusetts has many excellent medical facilities, so ensuring network access protects you from unexpected expenses when seeking care.
- 4Review Cost-Sharing Details
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your out-of-pocket maximum caps annual expenses, limiting your total costs. Worcester and other Massachusetts cities have varying healthcare costs, so understanding these limits helps you budget effectively for medical expenses throughout the year.
- 5Evaluate Plan Types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans each offer different trade-offs. HMOs require referrals but cost less, while PPOs offer flexibility to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options, providing moderate flexibility and costs for Massachusetts residents.
- 6Explore Government Programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable for eligible Massachusetts residents. If you have low income, qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options. These programs provide savings and enhanced coverage benefits.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Massachusetts?
HMO plans offer the most affordable coverage across all metal tiers in Massachusetts. Bronze HMO plans average $567 monthly, while Silver coverage costs $683. Gold HMO plans run $792 per month, and Platinum averages $988.
EPO plans cost more but provide greater network flexibility than HMOs. EPO Bronze plans average $670 monthly, with Silver at $961 and Gold at $882. Platinum EPO coverage reaches $1,085 per month, making HMOs the budget choice for Massachusetts residents.
| EPO | $670 | $961 | $882 | $1,085 |
| HMO | $567 | $683 | $792 | $988 |
*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in Massachusetts. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.
Best Health Insurance in Massachusetts: Bottom Line
Fallon Health, Wellcare Health and Tufts Health Plan Direct rank as the top health insurance providers in Massachusetts for 2026. Fallon Health balances affordable premiums with comprehensive coverage. Wellcare Health offers the lowest monthly rates among the leading providers.
Best Massachusetts Health Insurance: FAQ
Massachusetts health insurance questions focus on enrollment deadlines, state coverage requirements and coordinating multiple plans:
How do I get health insurance in Massachusetts?
You can purchase health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector, directly from insurance companies, or with help from licensed brokers. Open enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15 for 2026 coverage. You may qualify for special enrollment after life changes like marriage, job loss or relocation. Employer group plans are also available.
Are you required to have health insurance in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires you to have health insurance; failing to do so may result in tax penalties. Being uninsured also means you'll pay the full cost of medical care out of pocket.
Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Massachusetts?
Yes, you can have multiple health insurance plans in Massachusetts. Through coordination of benefits, your primary plan pays first, and your secondary plan covers remaining eligible costs. This arrangement commonly occurs when both spouses have employer coverage or when combining Medicare with supplemental insurance.
Our Review Methodology
HMO plans dominate Massachusetts health insurance. Our rankings focus heavily on monthly premiums since they represent your highest ongoing cost. We also factor in maximum out-of-pocket limits and deductibles, which affect your total yearly spending.
Our Scoring System
We weighted three cost factors:
- Monthly premium (60%): Your recurring monthly payment. Lower premiums earn higher scores.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): The most you'll pay in a year beyond premiums. Lower limits score better.
- Deductible (20%): What you pay before coverage starts. Lower deductibles get higher scores.
Scores are adjusted within each filter group. For Silver HMO plans, the top provider gets a 5 out of 5 score. All others are ranked compared to that leader.
Sample Consumer Profile
We reviewed every 2026 Massachusetts plan for individuals aged 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Pricing shows 40-year-old rates unless noted. We analyzed all tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.